Montreal Canadiens - Buffalo Hockey Beat

In beating Canadiens, Sabres showcase maturity; Buffalo loses players to injury

MONTREAL – This torrid 17-3-1 stretch can no longer be classified as simply a hot streak. No, having consistently showcased an identity for 45 days and more than one-quarter of the schedule, it’s safe to say the Buffalo Sabres can be called a pretty darn good hockey team.

As hard as it might be to believe, the rapidly maturing team has finally arrived following nearly a decade and a half of futility.

Thursday’s 4-2 win ... Read the full article

Maturity, not just talent, earned Sabres’ Josh Doan new contract after trade

MONTREAL – Skill is just one part of Buffalo Sabres winger Josh Doan’s repertoire and why he earned a long-term contract extension during his breakout season.

At 23, barely 100 games into his NHL career, Doan possesses maturity that belies his age and limited experience.

“I think character sets him apart,” Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Thursday, a day after Doan signed a seven-year, $48.75 million extension. “His work ethic, he comes to ... Read the full article

As he battles injuries, Sabres’ Michael Kesselring ‘starving’ to make impact

MONTREAL – Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring said it three times.

“I’m starving,” he said this afternoon following the Sabres’ pregame skate in the Bell Centre. “I’m starving. I’m starving.”

The oft-injured Kesselring, having played just 17 games this season, is starving for some action and to make an impact. More than three months into his first campaign with Buffalo, he’s starving to simply record his first point.

Following a two-game absence, Kesselring, 25, could ... Read the full article

Early in first recall, Sabres rookie Konsta Helenius shows he’s special talent

MONTREAL – As coach Lindy Ruff closed his remarks following Tuesday’s 5-3 win, he congratulated the Buffalo Sabres’ slick new line of neophytes for a “hell of a night,” then reached into his pocket and tossed rookie Konsta Helenius the puck for his first NHL point, an assist on Noah Ostlund’s early goal.

As Helenius’ teammates cheered, Ruff dug back into his pocket and lobbed Helenius the puck he whistled by Nashville Predators goalie Jusse ... Read the full article

After trade, hot start, Sabres give Josh Doan huge contract extension

MONTREAL – When the Buffalo Sabres traded for Josh Doan almost seven months ago, they acquired an intriguing but unproven young winger who had never played a full NHL season.

Defenseman Michael Kesselring, not Doan, who on Wednesday signed a seven-year, $48.75 million contract extension, was viewed as the centerpiece of the blockbuster deal that sent winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth.

But to complete the trade, former Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams insisted ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson, Sabres honor 2005-06 team in style by beating Canadiens

BUFFALO – As the reunion of the 2005-06 Sabres approached, center Tage Thompson and the current group of players learned plenty about what made that beloved team so unique and special.

So Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, who also led that team 20 years ago, said he believes his players had some added incentive to live up to what they were hearing and seeing.

Fittingly, with 18 members of that 2005-06 team in attendance Thursday, the ... Read the full article

Former Sabres star Maxim Afinogenov shares special moment with Lindy Ruff

BUFFALO – Other than a bit of a receding hairline, former winger Maxim Afinogenov looks pretty much like he did 20 or so years ago, when his slick exploits electrified Sabres fans.

Heck, Afinogenov looks like he could still lace up the skates and dazzle a bit, even at age 46. The Russian played until 2019-20 – he spent 10 seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League after leaving North America – before retiring.

The COVID-19 ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect Konsta Helenius; Josh Norris day to day with injury

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon recalled center Konsta Helenius, one of their top prospects, from the Rochester Americans.

Center Josh Norris is day to day after suffering an upper-body injury when Nick Seeler cross-checked him in the second period of Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, according to the team.

Helenius, 19, could make his NHL debut tonight against the Montreal Canadiens in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Josh Doan displaying offensive growth: ‘Just seen a glimpse’

BUFFALO – At each level before he reached the NHL – junior, college and the AHL – Sabres winger Josh Doan showcased offensive growth in his second season.

With the Chicago Steel, he shook off a frustrating five-goal rookie year and scored 31 times. As a sophomore at Arizona State University, he upped his goal total from 12 to 16.

In his first taste of the pros, Doan registered three goals in 14 games for ... Read the full article

Sabres recall two players from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday recalled defenseman Zac Jones and center Noah Ostlund from the Rochester Americans.

In Saturday afternoon’s 3-0 win, defenseman Jacob Bryson entered concussion protocol after Florida Panthers winger Jonah Gadjovich hit him into the boards in the first period, knocking him out of the game.

The Sabres, who play a road game tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, did not practice Sunday. They had one extra forward, Josh Dunne, scratched against ... Read the full article